earthbag homeLong sandbags are filled on-site and arranged in layers or as compressed coils. Stabilizers such as cement, lime, or sodium carbonate may be added to an ideal mix of 70% sand, 30% clay. Straw may also be added. The earthbags are then plastered over with adobe. Arquitectura en Equilibrio (Architecture in Balance) www.flickr.com

earthbag homePlastic bags recycled into plastic bags -- if plastic does not break down for a thousand years, this building is sure to last several lifetimes. Of course covered with adobe or plaster, so that the plastic does not offgas or degrade. Arquitectura en Equilibrio, Colombia. www.flickr.com

earthbag constructionFoundations differ as per site. Here, in a rainy locale, rocks were placed under the earthbags for drainage. Note the barbed wire which keeps the bags from slipping and creates an earthquake resistent structure. Arquitectura en Equilibrio, Colombia. www.flickr.com

earthbag constructionThe time consuming part, filling the bags. The bags are filled in place on the wall. The CalEarth site says that three reasonably-fit persons can lay 100 linear ft of bag per day. Arquitectura en Equilibrio, Colombia. www.flickr.com

earthbag homeCalEarth -- Emergency Shelter Village, Hesperia, California. Iranian born architect, Nader Khalili developed the long-bag Superadobe prototype in California. In 1991 he founded the California Institute of Earth Art and Architecture (Cal-Earth), a non-profit research and educational organization. Photo by James www.flickr.com

earthbag homeCal Earth -- Emergency Shelters. This long bag/barbed wire concept was originally presented by Nader Khalili to NASA for proposed building habitats on the Moon and Mars. Photo by Ashley Muse www.flickr.com

earthbag homeCalEarth let the layers show. Photo by James www.flickr.com

CalEarth -- this might not be totally earthbag, but like the fish face. Photo by James www.flickr.com

earthbag homeThe aerodynamic forms resist hurricanes and the structures pass California’s earthquake codes. They are flood and fire resistant as well. A double eco-dome can be built (bagged) in 10 weeks. Photo by James www.flickr.com

Sandbag construction in the Philippines? Long sandbags add stability, but using barbed wire between layers of shorter sandbags, is also fine. It takes much longer to fill the long bags than the short ones. Photo by SCDLR8899 www.flickr.com

earthbag homeNinos y Jovenes boarding school in San Juan Cosala', Mexico. Pic taken by earthbag expert Kelly Hart see more photos of project here: www.flickr.com

earthbag homeThis is the first EarthBag structure to receive proper building permits in New York State. A project of Sister Marsha Allen of Rochester, she hopes the students who helped build the structure will join her in Haiti, where she hopes to build many more. www.rochestercitynewspaper.com

earthbag constructionTamping is a necesary step. Initially a trench is dug and then filled with gravel, cement or a sunken layer of bags. Makes nice benches as well. www.ecocentro.org

earthbag constructionEveryone lends a hand. Take earth building lessons in Brazil with www.ecocentro.org Some use bags as a temporary holder of adobe. The bags could rot away and the building would still be as sturdy. For this type of build, the bags need to be filled with a percentage of hardening material (such as adding 5%-10% hydrated lime or cement to dry soil, mixing well and then moistening lightly before filling and tamping bags) or pure adobe.

Inside an EarthBag ready for plaster. The other way to make an earthbag. A mix of native soil; clay/aggregate/sand, and/or insulating material such as lava stone, scoria, pumice, perlite or vermiculite inside polypropylene bags (which have a half life of 500 years). The plastic needs to be protected from the degradation of the sun's rays with a plaster. structure1.com/Earthbag.pdf

If you do not like the idea of plastic bags - then Kelly Hart and Dr. Owen Geiger of Earthbag Building suggest natural porous bags (hemp, jute, flax or linen) filled with dirt, stone powder and sodium carbonate or lime (or numerous other cement capable wastes). After you lay a course of bags, sprinkle the layer with water, and after drying you will have a cement layer. Read more here: earthbagbuilding.wordpress.com

Cal-Earth focuses on researching, developing and teaching the technologies of Superadobe. The prototypes have not only received California building permits but have also met the requirements of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for emergency housing. calearth.org

earthbag school building in KenyaReply #93 on : Thu July 30, 2015, 03:50:20

I will be doing earthbag school in Kenya shortly and will want to share ideas

Robin
Posts: 92

Building a SchoolReply #92 on : Sun May 24, 2015, 09:04:21

Hello everyone, we are looking for volunteers to help build a school in rural East Africa using earth bags. Please reply if you or anybody you know can be of help. We are ready to provide accommodation to the volunteers. Email to: [email protected]
Thanks

Keith Allen
Posts: 92

construction servicesReply #91 on : Tue April 07, 2015, 00:13:23

Hi, I would like to ask if there are projects conducted by TOP NOTCH Construction ? You mentioned some in PH. thanks

Dan Wulff
Posts: 92

construction videoReply #90 on : Fri February 20, 2015, 19:23:06

Love it, thought about this 40 years ago, need a how to video.

Diogo
Posts: 92

ProjectsReply #89 on : Mon November 24, 2014, 10:10:45

Hello family,

I would like to know where are/were this projects going on!! Im a free traveler seeking for volunteer in such kind of projects in order to improve my skilss as ecobuilder. For that reason I would love to know the epicenter of such happenings...

Looking forward to hear from you

Namaste

michael
Posts: 92

earth bag homeReply #88 on : Tue October 21, 2014, 20:30:27

planning on building me one of these in kentucky,how would the climate be for one in this region of the country

Tarek hamza
Posts: 92

Build house by sandbagsReply #87 on : Sat October 18, 2014, 00:36:20

I am interested to learn more about build house by sandbages I want viste any cite in California

8belap7Posts: 1

earthbagReply #86 on : Wed October 08, 2014, 13:35:16

Please check out the permies.com forum on earthbag building...so much info there and so many who can definitely answer your questions!

Need some instruction on how to go about building such a house. Where to go?

Savhanna Pannell
Posts: 92

buildingReply #84 on : Sat August 16, 2014, 20:58:39

We are trying to build are house right know for are four children and are doing it using cob to save money, we have land in Texas that we are building on. What can we do for cooling and Windows, and how thick does the cob have to be.

tony cisse
Posts: 92

earth bags and termitesReply #83 on : Sun May 11, 2014, 04:07:33

I like this idea, but does anyone have any experience of building these in a zone infested with termites?

Brian Webb
Posts: 92

SandBag BuildingReply #82 on : Sun April 06, 2014, 04:08:48

Just spoke to a very helpful chap in South Africa who is very knowledgeable about sandbag building.
What's nice is that the structures he builds look exactly like a normal house.
Look him up on his website ecobuilders.co.za

jet
Posts: 92

building with plasticReply #81 on : Tue March 11, 2014, 03:27:32

hello

Is it possible to mix the clay in the earthbags also with plastic rubbish?
I am living on a island, no garbage service and love to ged rid also from plastic in a recycling way. So i wonder if building with earthbags, plastic (small plastic rubbish on the beaches etc) can be mixed?

I spent 30 years learning applied building science in Ohio and elsewhere by working in low income Weatherization, and never knew about this intriguing housing type. One forum that promote smart housing is the Affordable Comfort Conference, hosted by ACI, that brings together 2000-plus housing pro's from many fields. Consider presenting and attending. Check them out at www.affordablecomfort.org

Keiren
Posts: 92

SandReply #79 on : Tue February 11, 2014, 14:07:04

Actually almost all sea sand is rough and coarse, and therefore the grains tend to want to slide off the sharp edges of each other. Therefore the sand will tend to shift to the outside edges of the bags under weight. Smoother sand will stay in place and compress better. It is helpful to add some clay in with the sand 30/70. Subsoil, not topsoil is a good choice for earthbag building. Topsoil contains organic matter, you do not want this. I do not understand the second part of your question...

srikanth
Posts: 92

selection of soilReply #78 on : Tue February 11, 2014, 02:39:59

can we use sea sand as a filling material in sand bag houses. And while selecting the soil, what are the properties that we consider in design

Keiren
Posts: 92

InsulationReply #77 on : Sat February 01, 2014, 16:10:55

Hi Russell, Sure, I think an earthbag would work in southern Indiana. But you might desire to add some insulation, either pumice or rice hulls in the bags. Or a double bag wall with insulation between. Check out this Q7A page: earthbagbuilding.com/faqs/insulmaterials.htm

Russell Ross
Posts: 92

viabilityReply #76 on : Fri January 31, 2014, 21:59:52

I live in southern Indiana US. Would this be viable for my climate zone?

kabiru wahid
Posts: 92

Good day my good friend,Reply #75 on : Thu January 09, 2014, 03:05:49

Good day my good friend,

Let me start by introducing myself. I am a senior Staff in the department of foreign remittance as officer with Bank of Africa here in Burkina Faso West Africa.

I am writing you this letter based on the latest development at my bank which I will like to bring to your personal edification. ($15.5million) Transfer claim in to your bank account.
Pleaded, do reply for more details on how we are going to proceed if you are interested in this grateful opportunity.

Thanks
Mr. Kabiru Wahid

Keiren
Posts: 92

hyperadobeReply #74 on : Tue January 07, 2014, 11:40:01

Hi Jan,

Fascinating, thanks for the explanation!

I found this page so far: www.earthbagbuilding.com/articles/hyperadobe.htm

And will definitely research some more. Maybe I'll do a post on hyperadobe as well... less plastic, less wire...

Check back. Thanks! Keiren

Jan Zandvoort
Posts: 92

earthbagsReply #73 on : Mon January 06, 2014, 21:46:19

Don't you have anything on hyperadobe, this is similar to building with earthbags but without the barbed wire, in this system a different type of bag is used with holes which does away with the need for barbed wire.
Hope to hear from you.

Jan Zandvoort
Posts: 92

earthbagsReply #72 on : Mon January 06, 2014, 21:44:32

Don't you have anything on hyperadobe, this is similar to building with earthbags but without the barbed wire, in this system a different type of back is used with holes which does away with the need for barbed wire.
Hope to hear from you.

I have rolls of 14" & 18" wide, UVI stabilized, woven PP tube in 6000/lf rolls for sale at great pricing. I have sold these all over the country and they are perfect for Earthbag structures. Call me at 949-338-5978 or email me for pricing.

I have rolls of 14" & 18" wide, UVI stabilized, woven PP tube in 6000/lf rolls for sale at great pricing. I have sold these all over the country and they are perfect for Earthbag structures. Call me at 949-338-5978 or email me for pricing.

I have an ideal site in Romanian perfect for developing a holiday village from earthbag, looking for someone with the skills. I have plenty cheap labour and access to funds and materials. Salary negotiable. Email me on [email protected], prompt response assured.

ASIF SHAFIQ
Posts: 92

looking for volunteer who can help me to build this kind of homes for poors in pakistanReply #68 on : Fri October 04, 2013, 03:26:35

i am a volunteer looking for volunteer can help me to build such houses in Pakistan as we face flood and earthquakes every year

Ruth Shultz
Posts: 92

InformativeReply #67 on : Wed September 25, 2013, 13:24:30

This article was extremely informative. If I were 40 years younger, I would find a nice piece of land in B.C. Canada or rural Ontario and build myself a homestead. One could be really comfortable in one of these and it might be the right place to home school a child making them more survival savvy.

Keiren
Posts: 92

to JohnReply #66 on : Thu September 19, 2013, 09:39:42

Yes as to the structure being fire proof. Also flood resistant and capable of withstanding strong earthquakes. I would think that lightening would not strike a large mound of dirt unless absolutely nothing else around...Hope that helps...

John Ventanilla
Posts: 92

Facility ManagementReply #65 on : Thu September 19, 2013, 07:13:19

Hello
Good day I am studying facility management, I would like to ask if earth bag construction is a intelligent building like if its fire proof, lightning proof, flood proof and earthquake proof?

Thank you.

Hasan Morris
Posts: 92

cost and shipping to IndonesiaReply #64 on : Sun September 01, 2013, 09:25:55

Good day, I would like to know the cost of your earth bags for a 4 bedroom 3 bathroom house combined with shipping. Also would it be possible to request a consultant in the construction of the earth bag house so as help train local workers in Indonesia.

Ernesto Arriaga
Posts: 92

jungle houseReply #63 on : Sun July 28, 2013, 11:38:54

I have this lot near Cancun and is in the jungle, I will make a little house with earth bags, autosustainable, but can be with my design? is circular but doent want dome in roofs.

Rajesh Karthikeyan
Posts: 92

Earthbag Building in IndiaReply #62 on : Tue April 23, 2013, 12:10:49

Hey thanks for the pics and tips.
Doing an earthbag retreat and residence in TN, India after a lot of study of Nader Khalili and Owen Geiger's earthbag construction.
Great work guys... all of you.. thanks a lot for the pioneering research.
Hello Dr. Amod. You can contact me if you need any help at [email protected]
We need more earthbaggers in India.

Christie
Posts: 92

WOW THaNK YOUReply #61 on : Sat April 13, 2013, 08:24:55

What wonderful work you have done here to collate all that information.

thank you so much.

Dr. Amod Kumar
Posts: 92

Earthbag houses in IndiaReply #60 on : Wed March 20, 2013, 04:24:50

We are planning to develop an eco-resort. We wish to use earth-bag construction technique. Is it possible to find some Indian resource?

Thank you for this information. This is something I really want to do.....soon!

Ronkofa
Posts: 92

Cool!!!!!!Reply #56 on : Fri December 07, 2012, 15:14:18

Thank you for the excellent information you are providing about building with earth bags. I actually plan to build my house in Jamaica using earth bag technique. I certainly appreciate the information available on your site.
Thank you

I want to build an earthbag home in Hawaii and want to know if I can use cinder instead of sand, which is harder to come by here. Please let me know, Thanks, GReg

Tarek Elbarouni
Posts: 92

QuestionsReply #53 on : Sun September 16, 2012, 05:22:28

Hello sir

First of all I want to think you about all these good informations , actually I plan to build my house using earthbag technique but I've some questions

1- What is the minimum possible width for earthbag? I mean if i use a bag with 20CM width to give me as a result a wall like if I use normal blocks , or the thickness of wall will be not strong enough .

2- if I finish my house, and in future i want to open a new window or new door in internal or external wall can i do it ? or it will be as a risk to collapse the whole wall

3- the roof , can i use some prefabricated cement beams as the array and put the bricks between them and then the cement to create the normal roof like modern houses? Or san d bags can not hold the weight if roof!

4- could i build two floors with the same plan ? I mean the wall over the wall

These buildings are really cool. I wish I had known about them when I toured eco homes in your region.

Cheers, Terry

Irv
Posts: 92

Barbed WireReply #51 on : Sun July 01, 2012, 19:43:04

I admire the look, feel and simplicity of this type of construction. However, I see the barbed wire creating problems in the long run similar to the use of rebar in concrete structures. Eventually the barbed wire will oxidize and create structural problems and weakening of the overall structure. Perhaps a nylon or plastic substitute could be used.

Keiren
Posts: 92

To Vedette and DonnaReply #50 on : Fri June 08, 2012, 19:52:35

Yes, they hold up really well, as well as adobe. But one must make sure there is good drainage around the base of the building so the walls never sit in water. Earthbag buildings also hold up really well during earthquakes and are resistant to fire to boot.

Yes, they can be heated and cooled with the bonus that the walls are so thick the interior temps will be more stable.

I hope you both get to build one one day!

Vedette
Posts: 92

Natural Calamities.Reply #49 on : Fri June 08, 2012, 12:35:11

Would these hold out through rain and natural calamities?

Donna
Posts: 92

earthbag constructionReply #48 on : Tue May 22, 2012, 11:18:22

Can these homes be built in the Midwest? They are just like a regular house and can be heated and cooled right?

Klinker or clinker bricks were overcooked rejects, a product of intense and smokey coal-fired kilns. They were considered a waste product until early Craftsman builders found their sculptural architectural merits.

Beautiful buildings but the thought of birds flying into the glass is dreadful, so all large panes of mirror should have a deterrent, like a hawk cut-out or strips of ribbon hanging in front. Nesting season would be a particularly problematic time.

Currently the majority of wood stoves in use deliver only 40 to 50 percent of the energy potential of the wood. This is highly wasteful. But on a bright note, many of the prototype models entered into the Wood Stove Decathlon squeezed out more than 90 percent of the wood's energy potential and burn much cleaner than older stoves. One of the keys is complete combustion...